One of the most challenging aspects of social work certainly has to be community work. Most times, you have to do more than what you are technically paid to do, and add in more hours to think about what exactly the community's needs are. You need to be aware of current trends in order to identify opportunities for programme creation, and the most difficult task of all, you have to win the hearts and minds of not only residents, but the key stakeholders such as community funders, and more importantly the grassroots leaders.
Sometimes, we may be too carried away in our individual casework, and underestimate the importance of community based work for preventive and developmental support for residents, and create a more connected environment where the vulnerable can be easily identified and referred.
Some things I have learnt from my experiences in Community Work, and initiating community based programmes.
1. Be prepared to work
You need to move out of the comforts of the office, do community walkabouts and understanding the workings of the grassroots structure as organised by the People's Association. You have to carve needs assessments to understand the true community's needs in comparison to the expressed need. More importantly, your agency has to recognise the work that you are doing, and back you up!
2. One can never have too much humility
Be humble and respect the viewpoints of the different stakeholders. Their agendas are always different, and you have to respect these differences. People may and will get upset with you, and you are always tempted to strike back, but acknowledge that sometimes the needs of the community are more important than personal needs such as protecting the ego.
3. Find the impassioned!
Don't be disheartened, there are those in the grassroots community who share your views about wanting to serve the residents in the community. You just need to sieve them out and sell them your idea in realistic terms. Once you win their friendship and trust, you realise you are not alone in this endeavour.
4. You can't please everyone.
Don't be too frustrated and upset with yourself if there are people who are upset with you. For every person that likes you and likes what you are doing, there is probably another who would be criticising you and your efforts (hmm... maybe i'll write more about this). The general rule is: Identify the needs of the community through appropriate methodology, evaluate your programme regularly, and make sure you are serving the community, and more importantly the vulnerable groups you are targeting.
5. Read Dr Vasoo's Manual on Community Work in Singapore (1983)
Granted, it's a bit outdated, but at least you gain some understanding of how community work was done in the past, and the different models of community work you can adopt. With any reading or theory, adopt the position of safe uncertainty: Safe that you are well read and can tap on relevant knowledge for work, but with an appropriate level of uncertainty to be able to adapt the ideas to the unique needs of the community you are serving (I can go on another discourse about what defines community, but I shall choose not to).
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Posted by: jicRsj | 05/15/2012 at 05:20 PM
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a boy throwing starfish from the beach into the sea.
The guy asked "Good morning unknown boy! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The boy said "Throwing starfish into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the guy said, "Eh, there are zillions of starfish on the beach. You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
"It made a difference for that one" The boy repeated, as if anticipating a reaction from the guy.
Both looked at each other for an awkward minute.
"Hmm"... Said the guy, eyebrows furrowed.
"What?!" Said the boy.
"Well, if you look there, the starfish you just threw earlier has washed up on the shore again. and most likely most of them will wind up here anyway tomorrow or the next day. But of course, I'm sure you're just happy that you made a difference to them today...kekekkeke"
The boy stopped still in his tracks and stared widemouthed at the guy.
"So you're telling me I've wasted my time throwing starfish here the whole day?!?!??!"
"Well..." the guy started, "I guess you probably made some starfish happy, and you're extremely pleased with that of course. But, I'll tell you what we could do. Maybe we can set up a net or something that would reduce the number of starfish that wash up the shore. We probably need to get some friends of yours to come down to help with this set up"
"Hmm that sounds like a great idea!" the boy said, "but its a big beach, and I'm too lazy to get my friends down and do so much work. Anyway it's late and its time for me to go back... BYE!!!!"
"Nice...." Muttered the guy as he continued his leisurely stroll on the beach.
Posted by: Monster LadyGaga | 05/21/2012 at 10:33 AM